Shakti Peethas
As per legend, once there was a prince, whose name was Suruchi, has become a devil due to a curse. On seeing his ugly form, the people in his kingdom began to distance themselves from him. Due to his pitiable condition, Suruchi prayed to Lord Shiva and as per his advice, he came to the present place of Sri Kodeeswara Temple, worshipped Lord Shiva, and regained his original form. This temple Amman is called as Pandhadu Nayagi, since she is believed to remove the curses of her devotees, and would grant good fortunes to them. Here Lord Shiva is praised by reciting his ten million names, also known as Koti, and hence, he got the name Koteeswarar at this temple. It is also believed that ancient Shaivite saints worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple, by adorning him KotiVilva leaves. Beautiful images of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Ma Devi Durga and shrines of Vinayaka, Muruga, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar are also found inside the temple.
The temple priests perform puja on a daily basis for four times a day. Festivals like kiruthigai, pournami, sathurthi, Navaratri and Shivaratri are the chief festivals celebrated in the temple. This temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, since the great Shaivite Saint Tirunavukkarasar had sung numerous songs on Lord Shiva at this temple.
The consecration ceremony of the temple was celebrated before few years ago.
Sri Karkadeswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple located at Tirundudevankudi in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. During ancient times, this temple was called as Karkteeswaram. In this temple, Lord Shiva has granted salvation to a crab. The main deity is Lord Shiva, and he is called as Lord Karkadeswarar, and his consort Ma Parvati is known as Apoorvanayaki in this temple. Ancient Nayanmar Saints have sung songs in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple.
As per ancient legend, once the angry sage Durvasa cursed a gandharva to take the birth of a crab in the world, since the gandharva pushed down the legs of the great sage Durvasa while he was taking bath in a River. The gandharva had realised his mistake, and sought apology to the great sage. Rishi Durvasa felt pity on him, and he promised him, that he would take his original form in his next birth, if he sincerely meditates on Lord Shiva in his crab form itself. After worshipping Lord Shiva at the present place of Sri Karkadeswarar Temple for a long time, due to the grace of Lord Shiva, the crab regained its original form, worshipped Lord Shiva by chanting his glories, and went to the Gandharva Loka. Sri Karkadeswarar Temple is a must to visit temple, and it is situated just 4 kilometres far away from my home. I am also planning to visit this marvellous temple of Lord Shiva in the near future.